Former UM, Heat player Tim James fighting in Iraq

In this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Army, Tim James, the Miami… (US Army Brian Wilson, AP )

January 11, 2010|By Shandel Richardson, Sun Sentinel

Tim James received a Christmas package a few days after the holiday, yet he was still as eager as a child to open the present.

The gift came from his alma mater, the University of Miami, as a gesture of appreciation. James ripped open the box, full of Hurricanes clothing and posters, and immediately began posting them on the wall and handing out T-shirts.

For a moment, he was able to act like a proud fan and not a soldier.

It's been exactly 16 months since James, a former Miami Heat first-round pick, enlisted in the Army. He's spent the last six months serving in Iraq at Camp Speicher in Tikrit, a base 85 miles north of Baghdad. He now has the title of Corporal, no longer a power forward.

"I work with a loyal Georgia Tech fan so I had to fight these battles about 'The U' and Tech," James said by phone. "I'm glad we beat them in football this year. [Sports] are actually a great outlet. It gives us something to talk about it. It makes us feel like we're home."

James, who turned 33 on Christmas, is a long way from his Liberty City roots, and the days of traveling first-class in the NBA. He describes his living conditions as comparable to a college dormitory, about 500 square feet. When he first arrived, fellow soldiers told him stories of having to shower outside, but indoor facilities have since been installed.

The 6-foot-7 James, known for his leaping ability as a player, spends most days refueling and preparing aircraft.

"[James] is staying pretty busy with the mission and upkeep of the fuel vehicles," Capt. Curtis Byron said via email. "A lot rests on his shoulders during his 12-hour shift."

James has yet to experience combat, but is close enough to get an idea of the experience. He hears constant gunfire and lots of "loud booms." The toughest part, James says, is never knowing if the activity is five or 500 miles away.

"I can't determine where they are coming from," said James, the 1999 Big East Conference player of the year. "I know a lot of bases come under direct fire. Sometimes, you have a lot of controlled detonations, so it's hard to distinguish the loud booms. When I first got here, it made me a bit nervous. Now, I just go about my routine. It just doesn't bother me."

The same couldn't have been said about friends and some family when he decided to change careers. After playing 43 games in three NBA season and overseas in Japan, Turkey and Israel, James left basketball in 2007.

At that point, he decided he wanted to do something "great and worthwhile" with his life. Despite constant urging from others, he joined the Army on Sept. 12, 2008. He was deployed to Iraq the following July.

"I came across a lot of people that said, `Don't do it,"' James said. "They said that I could do a lot of other things. A lot of people prayed for me, but at the end of the day, I knew I couldn't be persuaded. I wanted this experience. I wanted to serve my country."

James' older sister, Charlean McGriff, said she expected the move all along. James displayed a passion for the military while growing up. He idolized his uncle Sam and older brother Greg, both marines.

"We weren't surprised he changed career paths," McGriff said. "He was always interested in the military. He was addicted to CNN. He's a tough cookie. He was never afraid of anything and we were supportive knowing what type of person he is."

For the most part, James is content with his choice. Then there are days he realizes he's missing birthdays and holidays with family. His 5-year-old son, Tim Jr., recently learned how to write and is starting to understand why his father isn't around.

During one conversation, the son asked, "Daddy, are you over there where the tanks are shooting?"

Tim Jr., lives in Manning, S.C., with his grandmother, Betty. James is expected to take a leave in late February so he can reunite with both. They already have a trip planned to Six Flags near Atlanta.

"We're going to do it all," James said. "I'm going to try to make it to Miami and take my son with me. We're hoping to make a couple Miami Heat games, and catch the Hurricanes and see how they look in March. It'll be great to be home."